CITB SMSTS Refresher Course

Renew Your Site Management Qualification: Keep your SMSTS certification current so you can continue to demonstrate recognised construction health and safety knowledge.

Refresh Key Legal Knowledge: Revisit core legislation, duties, and current best practice affecting site managers and senior construction staff.

Strengthen Site Leadership: Reinforce your ability to communicate expectations, influence safe behaviour, and lead by example on busy construction sites.

Update Your Risk Management Approach: Refresh your understanding of risk assessments, method statements, site controls, and practical management arrangements.

Support Safer Project Delivery: Improve your confidence in managing day-to-day site safety, monitoring standards, and addressing common construction risks.

Maintain Industry Credibility: Show employers, clients, and principal contractors that your site management training remains current and relevant.

The CITB SMSTS Refresher course is ideal for those who already understand the fundamentals of site management safety and need to renew that knowledge in a focused two-day format.

This course is suitable for:

• site managers with a valid SMSTS certificate

• project managers in construction

• contracts managers

• senior supervisors with site management responsibilities

• business owners overseeing site operations

• existing SMSTS certificate holders needing renewal before expiry

Unit 1: Core Legal And Management Responsibilities

Candidates cover health and safety law, the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, CDM Regulations, health and safety policies, risk assessments and method statements, induction and training, communication, leadership, worker engagement, inspection and audit, statutory forms and notices, and accident prevention, reporting, and investigation.

Unit 2: Occupational Health And Workforce Welfare

This section covers management of health, welfare facilities, stress and mental health, drugs and alcohol, COSHH, lead, asbestos, dust and fumes, noise, vibration, and manual handling.

Unit 3: Safe Site Set-Up And Operational Control

Candidates learn about site organisation, fire prevention and dangerous substances, electrical safety, temporary works, plant and equipment, mobile plant and vehicles, lifting operations, and mobile workforce and driver safety.

Unit 4: High-Risk Activities And Work Environments

This section includes work at height, safe use of access equipment, scaffolding, fall arrest equipment, excavations, underground and overhead services, and confined spaces.

The assessment is completed through a one-step journey:

Step 1. CITB SMSTS Examination

Candidates complete continuous assessment during the course and sit the CITB-set final exam. The exam paper is compulsory and covers the full course content. The paper includes 20 multiple-choice questions and five short written questions. The overall pass mark is 80%, and candidates must answer all five safety-critical questions correctly to pass.

Who Is The SMSTS Refresher Course Suited For?

The SMSTS Refresher course is designed for individuals who already hold a valid Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) certificate. It is aimed at site managers, project leaders, and others in senior construction roles who need to renew their qualification before it expires.

Why Do I Need To Complete An SMSTS Refresher?

To keep your SMSTS certificate valid, you must complete the refresher within the accepted renewal period. If your certificate expires, you would normally need to retake the full 5 day SMSTS course rather than the refresher.

How Long Is The SMSTS Refresher Course?

The SMSTS Refresher runs over 2 days. It is designed to update your knowledge of legal responsibilities, health and safety regulations, and site management best practice in a more compact format than the full course.

What Happens If My SMSTS Certificate Has Expired?

If your SMSTS certificate has lapsed, you will usually not be eligible for the refresher. In most cases, you will need to complete the full CITB SMSTS course again.

What Topics Are Covered In The Training?

Topics include health and safety law, CDM Regulations, site set-up, fire prevention, manual handling, working at height, welfare provisions, mental health, leadership, accident reporting, plant management, and lifting operations.

What Is The Assessment Method For The SMSTS Refresher?

Assessment is through a CITB-set exam featuring multiple-choice and written questions. Candidates must meet the required pass standard and answer all safety-critical questions correctly.

Can I Take The Course Online?

Yes. We offer live online SMSTS Refresher training as well as classroom courses in Manchester, Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent, and Derby. Onsite training nationwide is also available for employer groups.

Is Funding Available For The SMSTS Refresher?

Funding support may be available for eligible employers. If you are booking for staff and want to understand whether grant support applies, speak to our team and we can point you in the right direction.

Do I Need To Bring Anything With Me For The Training Sessions?

You will need proof of your current SMSTS certification so your eligibility for the refresher can be confirmed. All course materials are provided.

Is The SMSTS Refresher Recognised In The UK Construction Industry?

Yes. The CITB SMSTS Refresher course helps maintain one of the best-known site management safety qualifications used across the UK construction sector.